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Police to host advice event on new scam

POLICE are to set up shop in a Cowley shopping centre to warn people about fraudsters targeting the vulnerable.

Thames Valley Police will hold the awareness event at Templars Square on Wednesday between 9am and 4pm to highlight recent courier frauds.

Officers and advisors will give advice on measures the elderly can take to avoid falling victim to the scam, which sees cold-callers ring their victims pretending to be police investigating a fraud.

Victim to withdraw all the money from their account and send it via taxi to London.

In the first three months of the year, police said 11 Oxford victims were conned out of about £39,500.

Det Ch Insp Andy Bird, from the Oxford area police team, said: “Our focus on Wednesday is to highlight the strategies used by fraudsters in this scam.

“I would encourage everyone to attend, especially if you have an elderly relative, neighbour or friend. There will be opportunities to ask the officers on the day about any questions you may have to do with this scam.”